The Life And Ministry Of Obadiah Dolbey

Earthen Vessel 1887:

Mr. Obadiah Stephanus Dolbey, the Pastor-elect of the Surrey Tabernacle, is a Yorkshire man, of humble but respectable origin, who, like two of our most popular London preachers, claims to have received no distinguished advantage from any of our great schools of learning, but what he has come short of in this respect he has gained literally, as his honoured predecessor, Mr. James Wells, did, by dint of energy and perseverance, which have determined the progress and success of many of the best of England’s great men. But he owes what he is as a man, as a Christian, and as a pastor to the grace of God. Mr. Dolbey’s father being a godly man, he may have had some special impression of mind that his son would grow up to be a servant of God, and a crown of honour to his household; hence he gave him two beautiful names drawn from the Old and New Testament—i.e., Obadiah, servant of the Lord; and Stephanus, a crown; and we believe his services will be owned of God in his new sphere of labour, and he himself crowned with immortal honour when his work on earth shall have ended, which blood-bought crown he will cast at the feet of Jesus, and

“To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all.”

We have but little knowledge of Mr. Dolbey’s early life, but his inner and outer life manifest in his ministerial career is all that is essential for us now to know. His progress, both at Haworth and Slaithwaite, has been unquestionably one of gradual success, and which has opened his way in the order of divine providence for the large and very important position he is now called to fill in London. We are sure that the beloved deacons of the Surrey Tabernacle are not only Christian men, but men who understand the welfare of the Church with which they are associated, and, like the Issacherites of old, “have understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.” They have consequently, in connection with the members of this Church, had their senses exercised in reference to the growing suitability of Mr. Dolbey to fill their pulpit. Thus being fully capable of rightly judging of ministerial qualifications, and having heard so many good brethren during the past fifteen years, they are convinced that they have not missed the mark in making choice of Mr. Dolbey as their future pastor. Certainly their deliberations during the last four years have not been precipitate. The Church is entirely satisfied with what God has done for them, and it is marvellous in their eyes. We share regretful feelings in the loss sustained by the Church at Slaithwaite by the resignation of Mr. Dolbey. When we were present at the re-opening of Slaithwaite Chapel in the April of last year, in which services Mr. J. S. Anderson took part, we were sure Mr. Dolbey was not long to remain with his beloved friends there, and so it has proved. We trust, however, that the all-wise God will graciously fill up the vacancy caused by his removal to London, and give them rest and sweet spiritual success. Mr. Dolbey is rather small and slim of stature, has a dark complexion, and not physically strong, but with careful management of himself we should judge him capable of enduring much steady labour. He has a heavy, but clear and pleasant voice, and his manner of speech has a provincial accent, which in the ears of a London congregation cannot fail to be appreciated. It is not, however, the outer man that our Strict Baptist friends are easily taken with. Their real desire in going to the house of God is for soul profit, and hence if Jesus Christ and Him crucified be gloriously set forth in the public ministry of the Word, the mere man is lost sight of in the glorious shadow of the cross. In this way particularly we understand the words of Paul, “We have the mind of Christ;” and as good Dr. Watts wrote regarding the intellect of man, so we say of the spirit of our brother O. S. Dolbey:—

“The mind is the standard of the man.”

---

Public Recognition Of Mr. O. S. Dolbey As Pastor Of The Surrey Tabernacle, Wansey-Street, Walworth-Road, London.

That truly noble edifice, the Surrey Tabernacle, which, without any exaggeration—

“Stands like a palace built for God,
To show His milder face,”

has frequently been signalized of God as the spiritual birthplace of very many precious souls, both before and since the death of its first honoured pastor, the late Mr. James Wells, of blessed memory. It was thronged with hundreds of attentive and appreciative listeners, from town and country, on Wednesday, June 15th, 1887, a day long to be remembered by many who were present on that auspicious occasion. Many have been the holy services held in this sanctuary, but never before one like that just held in recognition of the Lord’s great goodness in sending a pastor after His own heart, in the person of Mr. O. S. Dolbey, to ministerially lead the living ones there into the green pastures and beside the living streams of God’s unadulterated truth.

We regard this house of God locally as the centre of the Strict Baptist denomination; and without a word in depreciation of other excellent sanctuaries and pastors in our beloved connection, we heartily thank Almighty God for maintaining the honourable deacons and members of this Church firm in the glorious truth of God, in faith and practice, during the many years of their widowed state, and in leading them to the selection of a man of truth who is so boldly set for the defence of the Gospel, and who is not afraid to advance the plain, ungarnished doctrines and practices as taught by Christ and His apostles. This, to our deep regret, is now often mixed either with man’s inventions, or totally ignored by many flourishing Churches and professors in the present day.

“Great Lord of all Thy Churches, hear
Thy ministers’ and people’s prayer;
Perfumed by Thee, O may it rise
Like fragrant incense to the skies.”

The Afternoon Meeting

The afternoon service was opened at three o’clock by Mr. J. M. Rundell (one of the deacons) announcing the first of the specially printed hymns for the occasion, commencing—

“Arise, O King of grace arise,
And enter to Thy rest.”

Mr. O. S. Dolbey, the pastor elect, read Col. 1, and offered very solemn prayer. Hymn No. 2—

“Jesus, away from earth I fly,”

was sung, after which Mr. Dolbey announced his text, 2 Cor. 4:7: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” In the chapter preceding the text (remarked the preacher) and in the latter end of the second chapter of this epistle Paul expressed himself as having had a right to the ministration of the Word by help of the Holy Ghost, and in connection with that ministration he had the privilege, through grace, of their fellowship, “not as many who corrupt the Word of God, because they themselves were corrupt, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.” So the apostle said of the Church at Corinth, he had no need, as “some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you. Ye are our epistles, written in our hearts, known and read of all men.” Now, in connection with this ministration, which was superior to the ministration of the law, the apostle thus commenced the epistle from which the text was taken, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy we faint not.” Therefore, if the apostle was only kept from fainting from having received mercy, no wonder some of us need mercy to keep us also from fainting. The brethren who had fainted but for mercy are those who did not handle the Word of God deceitfully. Such handling the Word the apostle did not approve of; consequently he observed, “But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” The precious Gospel is not hid to the saved, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Here, then, was the preface to the text. “Be astonished, O ye heavens,” that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” The preacher then enlarged upon some earthly treasures illustrative of heavenly treasures, and divided and thoroughly discussed his glorious theme as follows:—

I. The treasure spoken of—Gospel and its ministration, of great value, abundance and wealth, laid up in store, also that which enriches. 1, The Gospel is a treasure of light (6th verse). 2, Of love. It is sovereign, rich, free, everlasting treasures. 3, Of infinite and abounding grace (Acts 20:24). 4, Treasure of infinite glory (2 Cor. 3:8-10). 5, That it is everlasting, ennobling, satisfying, accessible.

II. Its privileged possessors—“We have.” 1, The treasure of the Gospel is possessed by believers in general. 2, By the ministers of Christ in particular. “We have it.” 1, It is our theme. 2, That by which we seek to serve God, &c. “We have it,” not by might, but by Spirit of God (Gal. 1:11), “in earthen vessels.” 1, In ourselves, “earth, earthy,” to remind us of our origin, our frailty, our weakness. “That the excellency of the power.” This is—

III. The reason assigned why it is so. There ever has been, and now is, power associated with the Gospel. Excellency of ”power of God.” 1, Invincible power; 2, life-giving power; 3, light-commanding power; 4, sin-consuming power; 5, soul-delivering power; 6, eternally saving power. This excellency is further seen if we consider that it is power associated with wisdom, goodness, mercy, righteousness and compassion. Here is our hope of salvation, our hope of ministerial success. God grant it, that we may exclaim with joyful lips, “That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

After the delivery of a most excellent discourse (the best we ever heard from Mr. Dolbey), several hundred friends sat down to tea, which was served in a most orderly and creditable manner.

The Evening Meeting

Brethren and friends noticeable at the services were—Messrs. Boulden, Rundell, Crowhurst, Carr, King, Green (deacons); Brethren Dolbey, Box, W. Beach, Masterton, P. Reynolds, W. Flack, Varder, Holden, Bonney, Ward, Noyes, Northfield, Johnson, Bush, Mead, Lambourne, Morling, Sears, Rose, House, Turner, Osmond, Herring, Knell, Wise, J. Wheeler, Davies, F. Wheeler, Thomsett, Elsey, Winters, Mills, Woodrow, Waite, Smith, Dearsly, Oakey. We regretted the absence of Brother E. Mitchell, of Guildford, through illness. There were many other ministerial brethren in the congregation; also friends Walker (Slaithwaite), E. Mote, J. W. Banks, Cobb, Franklin, R. F. Banks, Pocock, Martin, Wilson, J. Piggott and Davey, and a large number of representatives of various Churches of truth.

At 6.15 a large body of ministerial brethren, with the deacons of the Surrey Tabernacle, assembled upon the platform. Mr. Albert Boulden at once stepped forward, and in a few kind words announced with feelings of regret the illness of Mr. Forman, of March, which prevented him from presiding over the meeting of the evening. Mr. W. Winters, of Waltham Abbey, was then unanimously chosen to the chair, and called upon Mr. Varder, of Yeovil, to give out the opening hymn, beginning—

“Great God! Thy glory and Thy love
Our humble songs employ;
Propitious from Thy throne above,
Look down and aid our joy.”

Mr. Josiah Merling, of Over, read 2 Tim. 2:1-15. Mr. John Bush, of Kingston-on-Thames, offered the recognition prayer, which was solemn, fervent, and weighty, and to which most of the large congregation gave their hearty Amens.

The chairman said he had, immediately before leaving home for the meeting, received from Mr. Thomas Carr the solemn intelligence of the illness of Mr. Forman, which he most deeply regretted; and that he (Mr. Winters) should have thought of being made King of England as soon as to have been asked to preside over such a large and important meeting.

‘l’he chairman congratulated the Church at the Surrey Tabernacle on being directed of God to the choice of Mr. Dolbey as their pastor, who he believed was a brother “apt to teach,”—namely, declare the doctrines of God’s holy Word, not as an M.A. of a University, but as a servant of God, rightly dividing the Word of God. He might be said to be an L.L.D., one learned in the Law of God and the Divinity of Christ. Such a teacher was the late pastor, Mr. James Wells. He did not compare Mr. Dolbey to Mr. Wells in all respects, only that he (Mr. Dolbey) knew as well how to distinguish between things that differ—law and Gospel. He had heard Mr. Dolbey’s first sermon in the great Metropolis, and the one preached that day he thought was an improvement upon it, and showed evident signs of ministerial growth. He well remembered, also, how his late beloved friend, Mr. Charles Waters Banks, took Mr. Dolbey, on his coming to London, first into his house, and into his affections. How it would have gladdened his heart had he lived to see that through his instrumentality Mr. Dolbey had become the stated pastor of the Surrey Tabernacle. The chairman thought it not wrong for a pastor whom God had qualified with suitable gifts quitting one sphere of usefulness for a larger one, since the Church of God was one. He believed that the choice of the pastor elect was the result of God’s favour in hearing the numerous fervent prayers that had been offered by the Church and by many of the congregation. He did not believe in the ordination of a minister according to the polity of the State Church, which would not allow a man to take a benefice until he was of a certain age, or without the sovereign imposition of the hands of a Bishop. He believed that brother Dolbey had been recognised of God, and that he had recognised God as his Master. The Church had recognised him in many ways as a suitable pastor, and he had recognised God’s hand in bringing him to fill that sacred office. Whether his success would prove great or small, one consolation would be to know that he was where God had appointed him to labour.

Mr. W. Beach, of Chelmsford (whom we were all pleased to see) announced hymn No. 5 (two last verses), the closing couplet of which was—

“May it before the world appear
That crowds were born to glory here.”

The chairman then called upon Mr. Albert Boulden (one of the deacons) in brotherly affection to relate the circumstances by which, in the providence of God, the Church at the Surrey Tabernacle had been led to make choice of Mr. O. S. Dolbey as its pastor.

Mr. Boulden rose, and read a clear and full account of the whole of the proceedings, from their commencement with Mr. Dolbey to the present time, from which the following is a brief extract:—In the order of a gracious providence, we are most grateful to acknowledge the lovingkindness of our covenant God in giving His Church here, at the Surrey Tabernacle, a pastor, in the person of our beloved and highly esteemed brother, Mr. O. S. Dolbey, one whom we believe to be manifestly sent of the Lord, in answer to the united and earnest prayers presented by us at the throne of His grace during the long period of our widowed state. Ever since it pleased the Lord to sovereignly remove from our midst, in the year 1872, our first and dearly-beloved pastor, Mr. James Wells, it has been our anxious desire that He would fill up the chasm made thereby in our hearts’ affections, as lovers of His cause and His truth. Of late these desires have been more intensified, and more continuously expressed, until we now, this day, have to record their fulfilment, to the joy and rejoicings of the Lord’s Church and people worshipping in the Surrey Tabernacle. During the last illness of our late dear pastor, and the lapse of years since his decease until now, our pulpit has been very efficiently supplied by many worthy, able and gracious men, servants of the Most High, and ministers of the everlasting Gospel, who at all times have most kindly responded to our requests for continued assistance in carrying on the cause of God here. Of the large number, 120, who have aided us in the time of our need during the fifteen years past, not a few have been called to enter into the joy of their Lord. But of all this cloud of witnesses there has been none to whom the finger of the Lord appeared to point in the conspicuous way that it has to our dear brother, Mr. Dolbey.

We now come to the commencement of our brother’s ministrations in the Metropolis. Previous to Lord’s-day, June 17th, 1883, one of the deacons received a private note from our late dear friend, Mr. C. W. Banks, stating that Mr. Dolbey had been preaching for him, and (D.V.) would again do so in the afternoon of that day; and he, while listening to our brother’s testimony, was much impressed with the thought that the deacons of the Surrey Tabernacle ought to hear him, and in accordance with our usual practice when any such report of a sufficiently favourable nature came under our notice, it was arranged that one or more of the brethren should be present on that occasion. Two of the deacons carried out this proposition, and heard Mr. Dolbey preach his first Lord’s-day sermon in this metropolis that afternoon, from the words, “I will work, and who shall let it?” From the report of the impression made on their minds, two other of the deacons heard Mr. Dolbey at the same place on the following Tuesday, and on their report it was resolved to invite Mr. Dolbey to supply the pulpit at the Surrey Tabernacle at the earliest opportunity. A correspondence was opened with Mr. Dolbey, which led to an arrangement for him to supply six months after—viz.: Wednesday evening, January 9th, 1884; Lord’s day, the 13th; and Wednesday evening, the 16th. The first discourse was based on Rom. 8:16. The second and third from John 7:46 ; the fourth from Ps. 28:9. The officers answered, “never man spake like this man.” This led to a correspondence with the Church at Slaithwaite, Yorkshire, over which Mr. Dolbey had been then some years pastor, when it appeared, from the nature of the reply received, that they were anxious to avoid his coming amongst us too frequently, and we had to be contented with such arrangements as had been previously made. Mr. Dolbey did not again supply for us until the 13th, 17th, and 20th of August, 1884. Mr. Dolbey, having but one other engagement with us—viz., in the following October, this Church, at its next meeting in September, by an almost unanimous vote (contra. 4), desired their deacons to request Mr. Dolbey to preach for us one Lord’s day in each month in the year 1885, with as many Wednesday evenings as he could conveniently arrange for. To this Mr. Dolbey replied in a few weeks, promising three Lord’s-days’ only during the year. In Jan., 1885, Mr. Dolbey was again with us, and baptized three persons during his visit. By June, 1885, Mr. Dolbey had preached twenty-seven sermons in the Surrey Tabernacle, besides addresses at other services. At the next Church meeting, in June, it was resolved to invite Mr. Dolbey to the pastorate of this Church, but this meeting was adjourned until June 15, 1885, for the purpose of giving the matter full consideration, when a resolution was heartily carried (4 contra.), almost unanimously inviting Mr. Dolbey to take the pastorate. This was signed by the whole of the deacons. The receipt of this letter Mr. Dolbey acknowledged, asking for a few weeks’ consideration. A communication was also sent to the Church at Slaithwaite stating the course that had been taken, and expressing our Christian sympathy with them under the circumstance. On July 7th following a special meeting for prayer was held by this Church in the Tabernacle to implore the Lord’s guidance of His servant at this important juncture. On July 10th, 1885, a most interesting reply was received from Mr. Dolbey, largely entering upon his position at Slaithwaite, concluding that “the Lord is silent; therefore I must abide where I am for the time being.” A very kind letter was also received from the Church at Slaithwaite in reply to ours before referred to, the whole of which correspondence was laid before the Church at a meeting held on July 13th, when it was considered that Mr. Dolbey’s reply could not be considered as final, and that he should be requested to reconsider the whole matter, and await the Lord’s directions respecting the same. After this the Church and congregation became anxious that some intimation should again be sought of Mr. Dolbey as to whether his mind had changed in the matter since his last statement sixteen months’ previous. This found expression in a requisition being sent in to the deacons, signed by a number of male members, for a Church meeting to be specially called to consider the subject. Consequently a Church meeting was held on Nov. 8th, 1886, and it was resolved that enquiry be made as to whether he (Mr. Dolbey) had any indication from the Lord as to the pastorate of our Church that would lead him to give a favorable reply. This being done forthwith, he wrote desiring a conference with the deacons before giving a definite reply, and by arrangement he came to London for that purpose, when the matter was seriously discussed. The deacons were deeply convinced by this interview of Mr. Dolbey’s suitability for the pastorate, and hopes were strengthened that if the legal vote of the Church were taken and proved satisfactory, Mr. Dolbey would consent. This was reported to the Church, and resolved that the requirements of the Trust Deed be carried out—viz., that a special Church meeting be held for the purpose of electing a pastor, and that the required public notices be duly given in the Tabernacle on January 10th, 1887. On the same day a special Church meeting was held, when Mr. Dolbey was duly elected pastor of this Church by an over-whelming majority, only two voting on the contrary, and the result was communicated to our beloved brother forthwith. Mr. Dolbey wrote, under date Jan. 28, 1887, an affectionate epistle to the deacons expressive of his acceptance of the pastorate of the Church at the Surrey Tabernacle. A letter containing the unanimous thanks and satisfaction of the Church was speedily forwarded to Mr. Dolbey. A letter from the Church at Slaithwaite followed, expressing, under submission to the divine will, their sorrow in parting with Mr. Dolbey. In consequence of the difficulty in getting supplies to fill the vacant pulpit at Slaithwaite, it was requested that Mr. Dolbey might visit them one Lord’s day in each month during the present year, viz.—June 19th, August 14th. September 11th, October 9th, November 27th, and December 11th. On May 2nd, 1887, our beloved brother and his dear partner were received into Church fellowship with us, and he now stands the pastor of the Church worshipping in the Surrey Tabernacle. On Lord’s-day June 5th, 1887, he commenced his stated labours among us.

The reading of the above statement was listened to with very marked attention, and at its close signs of great satisfaction were evinced by many present. The Chairman then kindly asked brother Dolbey to address the meeting as the Lord might graciously be pleased to help him. Mr. Dolbey related, in a concise and telling manner, some of the dealings of the Lord with his soul, from the time he was twenty years of age until he finally accepted the pastorate of that Church. As the whole of the day’s proceedings will probably be published in a separate form, we need only state that our brother Dolbey was blest of God with Christian parents, under whose hallowing influence he was trained and prevented from running into outward wickedness. At the age of twenty he was led one evening to attend a prayer meeting in the town of Haworth, in Yorkshire, where God met with him and broke in upon his soul with divine light, and brought him to cry for salvation. After a while Satan tempted and tried him to give up all religion, but was shortly afterwards favorred in reading John 6, relating to Christ, the Bread of Life, whom he saw as his life. Mr. Dolbey was afterwards baptized by Mr. Scholes, who had been baptized many years before in the old Borough Tabernacle by the late Mr. James Wells. Mr. Dolbey rejoiced for a time, but was soon brought to mourn the felt absence of Jesus, and was comforted and strengthened afterwards by the words, “I, even I, am He which blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” In due time our brother found work in the Sabbath-school, and as his soul was warmed with the love of Christ he was tried in his mind about speaking in the Lord’s name. He was helped to speak a little at first at prayer meetings, but did not feel called to preach. His dear father, a godly man, called him to his bedside just before he died, and asked him if he did not feel himself called to preach the Gospel. Mr. Dolbey answered that he should like to speak in the defence of the truth. After his father’s death he was desired by the Church at Haworth to supply the pulpit for a specified time. At first he declined, but thought he would go if he felt led of the Spirit of God. He went to the chapel, but a brother opened the meeting with prayer, and prayed to such a length of time that he seemed to pray all the spirit out of Mr. Dolbey. The next friend who offered prayer was the means of reanimating our brother’s heart, which enabled him to preach to the great satisfaction of the Church. He then received a call to preach to the people occasionally, and he continued to supply the pulpit for nearly seven years. After a while, through the instrumentality of brother Thomsett (late pastor of Providence, Reading) brother Dolbey was induced to preach at Slaithwaite, on Mr. Thomsett resigning his pastorate of that Church, and there Mr. Dolbey laboured afterwards for nine years. The Lord’s dealings in bringing Mr. Dolbey to become the pastor of the Surrey Tabernacle is fully given in the statement previously made by our brother Mr. A. Boulden. Brother Dolbey clearly proved his call by grace, his call to the ministry, and his acceptance of the pastorate of the Church at the Surrey Tabernacle. He then gave the annexed outline of those views of divine truth which he intends in future to set forth in his public ministrations.

A Summary Of Gospel Truths Mr. Dolbey Intends To Preach

I accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as a revelation from God concerning Himself, His works, His ways, and as our only infallible rule.

That according to the Scriptures, I believe there is only one living and true God, who is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, independent, and immutable; and that of this one God there are three co-equal and co-eternal Persons—Father, Word, and Holy Ghost.

I believe that all created intelligences, and all things whatsoever, are the joint work of this Three-One God, and for His pleasure they were and are created.

Concerning mankind, I believe Adam was created in the image of God, holy and upright; but that he wilfully sinned against his Maker, and thereby brought himself and all his posterity (to whom he stood in the relation of federal head) under the just condemnation of God’s holy law, and that now by reason of the corruption of nature, those that are in the flesh cannot please God, being totally and universally depraved.

I believe that from eternity God had a purpose of grace and mercy towards a portion of the human family, and in pursuance of that purpose did set up from everlasting His Son Jesus Christ as their covenant head; and that their persons were graciously chosen by the Father in Christ unto salvation. This choice was irrespective of anything good or bad done by them, either before or after their regeneration. But seeing they, as well as all other men, were, by reason of the fall, “Children of wrath,” and therefore justly exposed to eternal death, God did enter into covenant engagement with His Son on their behalf, promising in that covenant to be their God, and engaging that they should be His people. Moreover, I believe that Christ was appointed and engaged to be the Surety of His people, thereby taking upon Himself all their liabilities, and promised to bear all their sins, and the punishment due thereto; so that their salvation is as equitable as it is merciful.

I believe that in the fulness of time God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons; and that this redemption is special, particular, and eternal (that is to say) it is of those, and those only, whom the Father had chosen in Christ unto salvation, and, therefore, it is impossible that any of these can be finally lost, seeing that all their sins are put away, and a sufficient atonement made for them to God. Concerning this atonement, I believe it is co-extensive with the Saviour’s representation, and provided and intended for the elect of God only, and therefore is not of universal sufficiency.

I believe that all those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ are, in due time, called by the Holy Ghost to a saving knowledge of the truth, and that this call is special, personal, and invincible, whereby they are brought from death to life, darkness to light, and Satan to God. Connected with this call, there is that faith given which is unto salvation, and that repentance which is unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I believe that all those who are effectually called by grace are justified by God from all things by the blood and obedience of Christ, and that neither their faith nor their good works are the cause, but the evidence of their justification.

I believe in the final perseverance of all God’s people—that is to say, all such do and shall continue to possess the grace of God, and walk in His ways; and, not- withstanding their imperfections, the incorruptible seed remains in them, so that they do not, nor ever can, finally depart from God, neither doth God depart from them.

I believe that baptism by immersion in water is a divinely-appointed ordinance, and that they only who have given evidence of being believers in Christ are fit and proper subjects to be baptized by a minister of the Gospel in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

I believe also that the Lord’s Supper is a divine ordinance, that the elements to be received are bread and wine, and that those only have Scriptural authority to partake who have previously been immersed in water or baptized.

I believe that the preaching of the Gospel is ordained of God for the ingathering of His people, and the instruction and edification of the body of Christ until they all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Concerning the promises, invitations, and precepts of the Gospel, I believe they are made and given to the people of God, and not to be indiscriminately applied to men in general. Respecting our addresses to the unregenerate, they ought ever to be in harmony with their relationship to their Maker, and the fundamental principles of divine truth, so that they may be convinced of their sin and led to feel their need of divine grace according to the will of God.

Death, Resurrection, and Judgment.—Sin having entered into the world, I believe it is appointed unto all men once to die; but that the death of the godly is not a penal evil, but a blessing, whereby they are released from that tabernacle in which they have been burdened. The death of the wicked is a part of that awful sentence which will receive its full accomplishment at the judgment day. That there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, I believe is clearly taught in the Scriptures, and that it will take place when Christ comes the second time. The righteous will be raised up in the likeness of their glorious Head, and be with. Him for ever; and the wicked, with such constituted bodies as shall fit them to bear that punishment, which is described as everlasting punishment and destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power. So I believe, and so I hope to be able to preach.

---

Mr. I. C. Johnson, of Gravesend, announced the following appropriate verse of Hymn No. 6:—

“Father, Thy blessing on our choice,
We ask with one united voice;
O! let our ardent cry prevail,
And Thy Amen the union seal.”

The two principal statements of the evening having been made, the Chairman expressed his entire approval of the declarations, and at once united the hand of Mr. A. Boulden (as a representative of the Church) with that of Mr. Dolbey, and clasping both said, “May God seal this happy union with His divine approbation, and cause both the Church and the pastor elect to ‘continue stedfastly in the apostle’s doctrine (teaching) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.'” And, “What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mr. W. Ward, pastor of Lynton-road, gave out two verses of Hymn No. 7. Excellent addresses followed by Messrs. Lambourn, pastor, Warboys, on “Ascension gifts;” J. Mead, pastor Nunhead-green, “The unity of the Spirit;” B. J. Northfield, pastor Hadleigh, “Saints’ desire;” F. C. Holden, pastor Limehouse, “Ascription of praise.” We hope these addresses will be published as before alluded to. After a few closing remarks from the Chairman, Mr. O. S. Dolbey and Mr. A. Boulden warmly accorded a vote of thanks to the Chairman for his kindness in accepting the presidency of the meeting at so short a notice, and which was unanimously expressed by the large concourse of friends present. The chairman having briefly responded, announced the grand old doxology of Bishop Ken—

“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.”

Thus terminated, with the benediction, two of the most happy and interesting services ever held in the Surrey Tabernacle. To God be all the glory! Amen! Amen!

W . Winters, Editor.

Churchyard, Waltham Abbey, Essex.